† reˈspectuous, a. Obs.
[f. respect n. + -uous, perh. after F. respectueux, Pg. respect-, respeituoso, Sp. respet(u)oso, It. rispett(u)oso.]
1. Worthy of respect.
| 1603 Knolles Hist. of Turks (1621) 1217 Neither is it to be maruelled..if they [sc. princes] become respectuous and admirable in the eyes and sight of the common people. 1686 F. Spence tr. Varillas' Ho. Medicis 151 He endeavoured to evade it, by shewing that it departed from a more mean, and less respectuous hand. |
2. Respectful, deferent.
| 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 62 A certaine respectuous reverence which they bare unto their Reader and Doctour. |
| 1673 S. C. Art of Complaisance 167 They are also modest and respectuous. 1683 D. A. Art Converse 35 Our superiours we ought to reverence by a respectuous silence. |